Automobile license-plate holder



1,629 68.8 May 24 1927' G. F. EDWARDS AUTOMOBILE LIOENsE PLATE HOLDERFiled Julyze, 1925 Patented May 24, 1927.

PATENT OFFICE.

4GETOEMtE F. EDWARDS, 0F ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA.

AUTOMOBILE LICENSE-PLATE HOLDER.

Application filed July 29, 1925. Serial No. 46,726.

The present invention relates particularly to a plate containing cut outcharacters visible in the day and illuminated at night by light rayspassingl through the cutouts of the particular characters, and moreparticularly to the plate, the cutouty characters of which are embossedand are clearly outlined parallel with their cutout edges.

A further object is to provide a structure in the form of anilluminating or reflecting box, one wall of which is formed by theplate, the box containing a lateral extension in communication with theinterior of the box, there being a single lamp, common to both the boxand extension, and there preferably being provided a colored bullseyedisposed to close the extension opening and lying parallel with theplate.

' A further object is to provide anovel form or plate mounting means anda novel form of bullseye mounting means, together with a structure forrigidly supporting, bracing and mounting the box on a support.

While the invention is illustrated and characterized as being used for avehicle license plate, it is to be understood that the same is adaptabletoany use to which it may be put.

1n the drawings- Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of the preferredembodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view partly in broken section. v

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view through a portion of one of theembossed characters on the .line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View of the locking means, taken on line 5 5 ofFig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view through the lateral box extensionand the bullseye, taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 1.

1n the drawings, wherein like characters of reference designatecorresponding parts,

'the numeral 1 indicates. a bracket having lateral arm extensions 2 anda downwardly inclined supporting arm extension 3. rl`he arms 2 arecurved as in Fig. 2 and the same are secured as at 4 to an arcuatelycurved rear wall 5 of a reflector box 6, the bottom wall 7 of which isdownwardly inclined and the top wall 8 of which is upwz. illy inclined.The free edges of the walls 7 and 8 and one end of the wall 6 arechanneled as at 9 to receive the. opposite edges and one end of a platel which is moved longitudibossed designs are cut out as at 14 and the fedges of the embossing, beyond the cut out portions, are distinctivelyoutlined as at 15, thus a character which can be readily seen in theday, due to .itsembossed construction and its outlined design, and whichcan be readily seen at night due to the opening therethrough is providedin the surface of the plate. f

To preclude foreign material Ifrom passing through the openings in thecutout designs, the plate is backed with a transparent sheet 16,Celluloid, for example.

Extending upwardly from the reflector box is a lateral extension 17 ofsubstantially semi-conical form, the rear Wall 18 of which is upwardlyinclined and the open rear face 19 of which is closed preferably by acolored bullseye 20, the same having peripheral extensions 21 adaptedfor reception withinv recesses 22, on the rotary movement of thebullseye to lie behind the retaining wall 23, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

A single lamp of illuminating means 24, illustrated asl beingilluminated by electricity from wires 25 projects into the lateralextension 17 and the box 16, the light 1 rays liberated thereby servingto reiect from the walls of the box and the extension and l illuminatethe character outlined designs and bullseye 20. .Y

The particular structure illustrated is adaptable for ready attachmentto the rear of motor driven vehicles, as the same constitutes a licenseplate holder and a tail light, but the plate with its distinctivecharacters is adapted for many uses, such a house numbering and thelike.

I claim In combination with a plate providedu on one face with characterdesigns cut away to provide transparent portions; a reflector box havingan open wall, said wall provided with opposing channeled edges forreception of said plate edges on its endwise movement thereinto to closesaid box Wall opening; ,one of said channeled ends provided with anaperture; the end of the plate provided with an aperture adapted foralignment With the rst mentioned aperture; a spring mounted upon saidchanneled end; a pin carried by said spring and adapted for yieldableholding thereby Within said aligned apertures for detachably retainingthe plate Within the channeled edges; an attaching bracket secured tothe box, said boxvprovided With a lateral extension carried tliereaboveWith its interior communieating With the interior of the box andprovided with an opening parallel with the open box Wall; a coloredbullseye for closing the latter opening, and a single illuminating meanswithin said boX and common to said plate and bullseye.

In testimony whereof l have signed my 20 name to this specification.

GEORGE F, EDWARDS.`

